Fall In Love With Handcrafted Silver Jewelry From Bali

I fell in love with Balinese handcrafted silver jewelry several years ago when I was learning the art of jewelry making. My work is only done with silver, gold or copper, along with genuine semi-precious gemstones and Swarovski crystals. The good stuff! So as I was searching for findings for my creations, I ran into the beautiful world of Bali!

I started out with some simple findings - lobster claw clasps and so forth - but quickly graduated to the amazing hand-carved sterling beads and clasps the Balinese are so famous for!

The Balinese have a long heritage of master craftspersons in the jewelry area. The craft is often passed down through generations.

Since I want to know more about the jewelry makers of Bali and their work, I thought you might too - and that's why I'm writing this article! We'll learn together. As I do more research, I'll include more photos and articles, especially about the jewelry makers themselves!

Here is one of the pretty pieces in my personal collection. It is right at 2" wide, 1/2" tall, and features an amazing color-changing Rhodolite Garnet cabochon. It's for sale in my Etsy store, link below.

I was lucky enough to buy this piece years ago at an estate auction. It was tossed in a box full of costume jewelry. When I finally got around to going through that box years later, I discovered this amazing piece. After doing a lot of research, I discovered it is a hand-made Balinese Naga style chain which is hand crafted out of individual sterling wires! The piece measures 36" long with two chains, and has 18 kt gold accent "keeper" boxes which are traditionally used to contain prayers, etc. What a treasure!

The piece is shown with the amethyst clasp attached to it, but most of the time I just wear it without it.

The chain feels like slinky silk when you handle it. The fluid movement is amazing.